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Mini Biography

Joined the acting unions SAG/AFTRA/AEA, and studied acting with Lee Strasberg in the early 70s in New York City. Returned to film in 1998 at the request of Italian director, Edoardo Amati, to portray the lead,'Frank Falcone' in his film, "Master Shot". Presently shooting many independent films.

Mini Biography

Carson Grant, USA actor, a renaissance man for all seasons, has followed his artistic instincts to accomplish a lifetime of Arts.

Born and raised in a hard working middle-class family in Rhode Island, Carson's lineage genealogy dates to 1636 when John Sweet (emigrated to Salem, Massachusetts 1630 on the Winthrop Fleet, departing from Plymouth, England) was granted land by Roger Williams, as part of the 38 families who traveled with Williams from Massachusetts to establish the colony of Rhode Island based upon principles of complete religious toleration, separation of church and state, and political democracy (values that the U.S.A would later be founded upon). Roger Williams insisted that land must be purchased from the Indians, rather than taken from them forcefully, in order to claim title to it. Williams then purchased land from the Narragansett Indians and established the settlement of Providence, Rhode Island. (ref. Founders and Patriots, p. 234)

Several pieces of ornately carved art objects and furniture created by Carson's great grandfather, William Russell Sweet (1860-1946) are on display at the Pettaquamscutt Historical Society in Kingston, RI. Carson's grandfather was Col. Russell Herndon Sweet (1894- 1966), RI National Guard since 1915, former chief of public relations for the First Service Command, honored in 1946 with the 'Legion of Merit' award for his brave work in the Military Intelligence Service of the War Department during both WWI and WWII, who married Lucy Humphey Young in Rhode Island 1919.

Carson Ferri-Grant's paternal family, Anchise Augustino Ferri and Mary Massari Ferri married and emigrated from Bientia & Massa Carrarra, Italy to Rhode Island in 1909, giving birth to three children. Carson's parents, Joseph Anchise Ferri married Leila Natalie Sweet in Rhode Island, 1945.

Carson has created characters and stories in visual mediums as drawings, paintings, in films and on stage. His first acting performances were in the Touisett Point Coggleshell Community Center in Warren, RI at 6 years old. At ten he teamed up with his playmate Susan to create children's theater/variety shows in the family's garage attic, where he directed, art directed and acted in productions performed with and for the neighborhood children. During his grammar school years, he designed the themed showcases displays and painted murals reflecting the seasons.

Recommended by his art teacher, at twelve years old Carson attended Saturday classes at Rhode Island School of Design where figure drawing and painting nurtured his talents. As a young artist, he was a recipient of the RI Gold Key Artisan award.

By fourteen, influenced by the Doors, Stones, and Beetles, Carson began his baritone singing career by teaming up with four other musicians to form "The Younger Breed". Throughout his high school years (taught by the La Salle Christian Brothers), Carson was hearing religious theology by day and performing in night clubs at night. Carson Grant was lead singer with two bands performing at events throughout New England, including "Battle of the Bands" sponsored by RI-WPRO radio station.

In the early 1970s, Carson moved to New York City, studied acting with Lee Strasberg, joined the acting unions: SAG, AFTRA, AEA, was represented by William Morris Agency, and began his film career in seventies classics as "Man on a Swing", "The Front", and "Death Wish". Still in his young twenties, the character of 'Thomas Jefferson' for WNET 13 Bicentennial series "The Last Ballot" fit Carson, as well as, various stage roles for NYC Opera Company.

Maintaining good New England work ethics, he has developed both blue and white collar skills which he has used in front and behind the camera. As a RI youth, Carson had driven many vehicles on land and in the water, so when asked to drive a farm tractor and a boat in films, he easily adapted. On the college wrestling, fencing and swim teams, Carson applied these skills to his first acting role 'the Swimmer' in "Man on a Swing" , which he is grateful to the Warren, RI Summer Youth Program for their swim classes and for their winner trophies given to him.

Expressing his visual perspective, Grant painted large oil canvases and constructed many art installations in alternative exhibition spaces as part of the 1970s East Village Art movement. Recognized for excellence by Leo Castelli, Carson's installation of living sand sculptures 'Coney Island Bathing Beauties' in the "The Coney Island Art Show 1981," and his triptych 'In Life Turmoil' in the famed "Time Square Show" gained notoriety. His one-man exhibition called "Nature-Nuclear" 1979 provoked quite a stir when he constructed a large climb-up-into 'scarred Mother Earth Uterus' - post nuclear with her next distorted generation traveling down her maimed fallopian tubes into her contaminated womb (30' x 40'), encouraged the viewer to consider alternative energy sources to protect our environment. (Times: 11-30-79)

The seventies brought an awareness of our environment, pollution and nuclear waste contamination (3 mile Island & Chernobyl). For two summers, Carson hitch-hiked and walked the entire USA photographing damaged natural reserves. Marching with the Sioux Indian in South Dakota, as part of the 'No-Nukes' concert tour 1979 MUSE, Carson returned to NYC to establish an award-winning not-for-profit organization, Environmental Artists United (EAU), sponsored by 'Avon' and 'America the Beautiful Fund' Foundations, which promotes art educational exhibits focusing on our environment and conservation. One honored exhibition 'Four Elements: Fire-Wind-Earth-Water' for "Earthday 1980" received special attention from American Express during the now famous event. Carson was one of the founders of "The Westside Arts Coalition", NYC, helping to preserve the Upper Westside artistry, neighborhood, the Symphony Space, and actively 'worked-the-soil' to create the Westside and the Riverside Park Community Gardens. As an adjunct faculty member of College of New Rochelle, Carson aided the efforts to bring Rosa Parks to the renamed Harlem campus.

Graduating as a Psi Chi Honors Sociey recipient in Psychology & an elected Psi Chi president at CUNY- Hunter College BA program, Carson's master thesis on the 'Therapeutic Validity of Drama/Art Therapy', earned him a MA (Summa Cum Laude) at U.Conn, and postgraduate work at Columbia U. Carson presented his research at Georgetown's Drama Therapy Association convention 1985.

Wanting to paint in the new electronic technology of the 80s, Carson attended and taught at Pratt University, New York City to enhance his knowledge of computer graphics and digital editing. He worked with innovative companies, as an animator/cg artist/editor/programmer helping to form the late 1980-90s advancements in computer graphic applications using AT&T- NASA software, creating formats for the premier of CD-Rom and Internet technology, which applied many color principles Carson helped to develop with a team of artists for NYC companies as: Fusion, Advanced Graphics, Exhibit Technologies, Carabineer, and Ogilvy-Mathers.

Painting on the computer tablet, Carson created animations for the 'Sony's Time Square Video Board'. The Ayer Advertising campaign 'Breakthrough with the Unexpected" animation of an egg cracking to release a butterfly, captured Ad Week's (2-25-91) and business's imagination in CGA as a profitable advertising tool. IBM, Intel, Kodak, DeBeers, Shell and American Express followed suit by asking Carson to create animations for their multi-media identities and exhibitions. National Geographic's 'Interactive Gallery' gave the "Global Access" to many of Carson's images and animations.

For the SIGGRAPH - 1990 convention, Texas, Carson constructed inside the old railroad station, a walk-under suspended cellophane and plastic 3-D hologram mountain installation "Harmony Mountain" (100' x 100') to harness and directed peaceful energy through a twenty foot, five point 'Texas Star Vortex' hung between the massive exterior columns of the Dallas train station, to help project positive energies to the historically tarnished 'Dallas promenade and book depository' and to honor JFK's memory.

Based in New York City, Carson traveled the USA designing multi-media exhibitions, video wall and exhibit installations for fortune 500 companies.

In 1998, asked by Italian director Edoardo Amati to portray his lead character in "Master Shot", Carson's acting career was rekindled. To date Carson has created more than 250 film characters including his recent roles in Robert Munoz's feature film 'Liars and Lunatics" where he played dual lead protagonist roles.

His 'Preacher' character was seen in "The House is Burning" film premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 2006 with Wim Wenders 'Chambre 666". The musical film "Summer Dayz" written and directed by the Passero brothers will be released in late 2007.

One of Carson's most challenging roles was portraying Howard Hughes (film 'HH" 1999) during Howard's 40s through 60s suffering from paranoia and the drug induced states.

In 2007, GIAA, the Guild of Italian American Actors, awarded 'The Italian American Heritage Award' to Carson Grant for his role in the film "God Bless America" for contributing to the positive portrayal of the Italian American culture, GIAA Film Festival 2007. Carson Grant dedicated his IAHA metal to his nephew who served 12 years in the army's special forces and lost his life last year, Chief Warrant Officer 3, Shawn Benjamin.

In 2008 Carson Ferri-Grant, as the tenth generation who assisted in establishing American Independence was honored with a membership into the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution through the Rhode Island Chapter.

Trivia

2005- For the film 'Dead Serious', Carson Grant sat for four hours while makeup artist, Anthony Pepe created plaster casts of facial, head, neck, and teeth forms of Carson to mold the Master Vampire's- Reverend Bob Rivington transformation prosthetics. Anthony Pepe designed the film poster and used Carson Grant's face to shape the blood dripping vampire face.

1970s - Joined the acting unions SAG/AFTRA/AEA, studied acting with Lee Strasberg and voice with Wally Harper in New York City, and was then represented by William Morris Agency.

2000- The semi-circular scar over his left eye brow and nose was inflicted by the lens of an Arri BL 16mm camera in the hands of Emad Beshay (The Lost Face) during a hand-held move-in closeup, but while still bleeding he finished the shot. Candidate for the Film-Maker hero award. A closeup on the scars can be seen in the film poster of 'Money Matters' posted on IMDB.

April 2007: GIAA - Guild of Italian American Actors: membership elected him as Councillor to aid the Guild's transition into the digital technology era and guide the members to opportunities offer.

Personal Quotes

"The Arts, especially film, transcend all cultural barriers, hopefully offering an avenue where all people can find a common place to meet, understand each other, and nurture a safe world for all our children to grow strong within."

Where Are They Now

(December 2001) Acting in Independent feature films (and over 150 short films since 1998)

(January 2006) Living in New York City and creating characters in a variety of independent film and stage projects.

Carson Grant

carson Carson Grant studied acting ...